Everyone woke up hoping that their new situation was just a dream. The moment everyone met up in one of the rooms, they sighed that they were still in their new world, killing their mood. As naive as they are, the class accepted that they are stuck in this new world.

"Ugh, are you sure you're gonna go to that Razor guy Ace? He looks like bad news." Warren referred to when everyone first saw Razor. The aura he evoked had unconsciously taken everyone aback from a single glance.

"I’ll be fine, the other classes don’t seem to fit with me."

"That's true..." Warren shook his head.

Soon after, Aria and Vella joined the two in their conversation.

"So today is the day... training..." Vella said with a sigh. Everyone did not know what would be thrown at them once their training began.

Vella chose the Healer class due to her high magical stats. She did not have the defensive capability nor the strength to be a spell warrior like Aria, as she's the only one with the most balanced stats out of the whole class.

"I'm nervous..." Aria's hands were shaking as she couldn't calm her nerves. The thought of war, the idea of trying to kill another human, scared her.

"Relax... we're only just training for now," Warren said.

"Wouldn't it be better to be a mage...? The decision hasn't been decided until we meet the trainers in a few moments." Vella showed great concern towards Aria.

"But...! I know I can increase our survivability if I choose this job! Aria shouted.

"She's made her mind anyway. Let her be. I knew we'll be carrying the burdens of a heavy frontline, those at the front will surely look out for her."

Aria looked at Ace after he spoke. She knew that Ace was going to babysit her in some way somehow. Aria felt disappointed with how she was seen as weak. When she saw her stats, Aria thought she could change and be more helpful if she went into a versatile role.

"I won't be weak...!" She looked at Ace with a pouty expression.

"I know you won’t.” He said with a faint smile.

This smile disappeared when a knight entered the dorm, where everyone was waiting. They knew their time had come to return to the throne to hear more about their training sessions.

"King Regis wants everyone to come now. That's an order." He said with a stern tone.

Everyone followed suit, following the knight where they returned to the familiar sight of the King. This time he only has the trainers that everyone was introduced to yesterday.

"Good to see everyone. As previously mentioned you should all know by now that today is the start of your training, After a few weeks, you will venture out in a Sacred Dungeon. There you will level up and hopefully find Relics and Treasures to aid you in battle. Your trainers will explain more about this once you begin. That's the end of what I have to say its time for you to learn your desired class." The King ended his explanation.

Everyone went to their assigned teacher for their desired classes. When Ace was about to go to Razor, he noticed that he tried to erase his presence again, but Ace saw this and still approached him anyways.

"...I did know a few people can detect me, guess I have to comply. Let's see here..." Razor took a sigh when Ace went up to him.

Knowing that Ace was going to choose him as his trainer, he analysed Ace's capabilities on whether to accept him or not. Razor nodded his head once he was done.

"Well, you hold potential. Do keep in mind if you want to quit my training, I would prefer that. I don't want want to waste any more time teaching someone who's not into my lessons." He said in a cold tone.

"I got it."

Ace followed the man outside of the castle. They headed to one of the unoccupied training grounds where just the two of them were outside the small field. There were a variety of training weapons made of wood scattered across the area in neat piles in this field.

"So... you're...?" Razor signalled Ace to tell him his name while taking off his bladed arm gauntlets.

"Ace..."

"Know anything about fighting?" After placing his gauntlets at a nearby bench, he waited for Ace to answer his question.

"I hold a black belt in martial arts so-"

SWOOSH!

Razor winded up a blatant attack to attempt to kick Ace in the head. Despite the obvious action, Ace just managed to barely dodge the attack on time. In an attempt to counterattack, Ace tightly gripped his fist. Just as he was about to punch, Razor kicked his legs with such high speed without making any motion, causing Ace to lose his balance.

Ace was astonished at what he had just witnessed. Razor offered his hand, helping Ace stand up.

"You’re off to a good start.” Razor says with a stance of approval. “We'll start with weapon training first then the some other basic skills of what a rogue needs to learn to survive. It’s a harsh regiment, but I have been paid to make you as strong a 'Hero' as the King would say, one fitted for war."

"I understand..."

"So know anything about being a rogue?" He asked as he twirled a knife between his hands.

"They're similar to being a thief or an assassin right?"

"To summarise yes. We're able to hold our own more in the front lines. Assassins rely on stealth to win only being able to deal the first blow, Thieves rely on speed and evasive tactics preferring to avoid a fight. But we combine the two with warrior aspects that makes us strong in a fight. We do anything as a means to survive a battle and using whatever tool necessary. No matter the tactic a victory is a victory. So, you can back out now after today, if you can't handle my training."

"I got it."

Razor held a nod of approval hearing Ace’s reply. “I like your attitude.”

A week has passed since Ace started to train with Razor. Unlike everyone else, Ace has been sleeping on the training grounds when he was too tired to return to the dorms.

Razor taught Ace the idea of versatility from basic weaponry to ranged weaponry. Anything a Rogue can use is their best chance of victory against anyone. Rogues are specialised in evading and parrying blows whilst recognising vulnerabilities and openings to deliver a devastating attack. These were the first array of skills Ace was training on before learning anything more.

Razor noticed that his proficiency with weapons was not hindered, allowing him to use all weapons with ease, whether it was a bow, dagger, sword, or spear. An average human would have different preferences on the type of weapon they use. Some people are better than others in the way of the sword, while others are better in the spear.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

In this case, Ace holds the potential for every weapon becoming more proficient in various weaponry than Razor's previous students. Razor assumed it was his [Hero's Progression] passive. A unique passive both Ace and his classmates hold to help them train much more quickly in terms of weapons and skills. However, after watching him train Razor confirmed that Ace holds a personal passive that allowed him to learn any weapon at a faster rate.

The second week, Ace learnt basic manoeuvring and parkour to prepare Ace for certain scouting missions and various stealth exercises. Ace learnt a lot from Razor, but at the same time, his body couldn't keep up with the harsh regiment. By the time Ace was finally given a day off, he had collapsed.

"You could've told me you were reaching your limits. A normal person would've screamed 'I need a break!'"

Ace was still on the ground, on the verge of vomiting out his lunch.

"Uh oh... don't throw up on me."

"I'm fine-" Ace managed to gulp down the vomit his body was urging to flush out back into his system before his body gave up on him hanging to Razor's support.

"Ace...?!" A voice called out to him.

After looking from where the voice was coming from, he noticed Aria in her training gear. She was with her trainer Olivia before she ran out to the exhausted Ace.

"You should learn to give a break to your student Razor," Olivia went to tend to Ace while lecturing the Rogue trainer.

"Cut me some slack Olivia, He didn't ask for a break so how was I supposed to know?"

"You can tell by looking at him.” Olivia sighed. “Here Ace, have some of this, it's just simple a lemonade tea I brewed earlier. It might calm your stomach." She said in a motherly tone.

She held out the drink with Ace taking a sip from the bottle before he slowly recovered.

"Are you okay...?" Aria asked.

"Olivia's tea is helping so I'm fine now..."

Ace tried to stand up after saying that, but his legs gave up on him, unable to support his weight.

"Razor! What did you make him do?! I know you were paid to do this but this is overdoing it!" Olivia retorted.

"Well, Ace here is a perfect student. What's more to a trainer to push their students to their limits. I can't let him be in the same fate as my previous students."

Ace's interest piqued. This was the first time Razor said something about having former students. If this relates to the disappeared people, Ace is on the right track in picking Razor as his teacher.

"Oh, I think he did break his limits, literally!" She shouted.

"Ugh, shut up Olivia. Your kindness ain't gonna make your student survive a war. You know that."

Aria started to slowly panic but tried her best to put on a brave face. Ace noticed this and patted Aria's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down.

"I know that...! But Aria's different! I know with her skills she can go further than the ones we taught before. I don't even want to think about what happened to my previous students. That's why I only accepted one this time..."

'Previous students...?' Aria wondered.

Olivia held plenty of guilt as she fiddled with the ring on her ring finger. The moment Olivia mentioned 'previous students' piqued Ace's interest even more. He wanted to ask from Razor, but Olivia looked much of an easier target to grab intel out of.

"My bad, I forgot David was with them..." Razor said in a despondent tone.

"It's okay... sorry you two... there's a lot on our plate right now, and referring to previous students will cause greater stress and concern. I can already tell from Aria's expression our keywords already concerned the both of you." Olivia addressed both Ace and Aria.

"I'm sorry...! Even after being trained for a while, am I that weak to your students before...?" Aria asked worriedly

"No, you're full of potential don't worry. The King already made sure that such events won't happen again."

"Then what about the war itself? How are we going to survive?" Ace asked.

"That's the Holy Knights' job. They're plenty strong so you won't worry." Razor answered.

"Well, Aria you're dismissed for today. We will train tomorrow. And Ace, if Razor is pushing you too hard feel free to tell me. I'll talk some nonsense to him so you won't be in such a state. For now, I'll take my leave,"

"Wait-" He tried to reach out for her fell on his feet as his legs still hadn't rested enough yet.

"Hey, you should rest. Olivia's already pestered me, I'm not harsh to let you train again." Razor said in a gentle tone.

"Ah, you can keep the bottle. It's Aria's if you're wondering." Olivia said.

"That's not what I wanted to say- oh, don't worry."

He noticed that Olivia was in a hurry to get somewhere and didn't bother to stop her from attending her business.

"If you want to ask her something just save it until you fully rest. Or I can pass on the message you want to ask. Olivia is more approachable than I am." Razor said.

"Then can I ask you? About your former students?"

Razor's eyes followed Ace after hearing his piqued interest.

"So that's what it's about... hm, you shouldn't ask that sort of thing around the Paladins or Knights." Razor took a quick glance at his surroundings before returning his attention to Ace. "Why don't you rest today? I'll answer whatever question you have when you've recovered. I'll see you soon." Razor gave a faint smile.

"...Fine."

In his head Razor wondered why Ace seemed intent to asking such a question. Though he'll find out the reason why the next time they meet. Razor left the area in a second leaving just Ace and Aria alone inside the training grounds.

"Here... let me help you-" Aria was just about to help Ace up until he stood up by himself.

"I'm okay. I can walk now. Razor was trying to make me climb up a tower more quickly. I beat my time but at the cost of my legs... I wasn't paying attention to myself."

"We're all in this together Ace. But the given situation we're forced in, for an exchange for returning home... I know its..."

"Stupid, that's what I think. But that platform that was used is our ticket out. So we're forced to fight for that King."

While they walked to the living room. Ace managed to rest himself on the sofa. He overdid himself in training, but the progress he made is much higher than those of his classmates, and Razor pushed him to his limits to survive in this war.

"Do you think... any of them are alive Ace?"

"I don't know. It depends once I ask Razor and Olivia who they taught... are you able to ask Olivia on your next training session?" Ace asked her.

"She said I'll be doing a joint training session with Razor... He's difficult, isn't he?! That's why you're always with him and sleeping on the training grounds.” She spoke with great concern.

Ace still held the same expression on his face as if he doesn't care, but this expression soon changed seeing Aria's worried expression.

"You worry too much. Don't worry, Razor isn't who he looks to be. The training is exhausting that I pass out at the grounds. But the way he was training me it seemed desperate... that's why I trained like I was desperate too. He knows something and that's why I'll ask from him the next time I see him."

"Desperate what do you mean...?" Aria asked.

"I don't know... but I'd rather try to find my way home alone than with a king like Regis."

"And how would you do that...? You would just go alone without us...?"

"Well, that'd be difficult without you guys huh...? I want you guys to go back home. You guys have more ambitions than I do. Warren wants to be a star player in baseball. Vella wants to pursue in the medical field like her family members. And for you, being back home is much more preferable than being here.

"The orphans... I wonder if they are alright without me... I miss helping them with their homework. I'd always help the mothers cook too... Then again, one less person shouldn't be a big difference. The kids will be fine without me, Chloe is there with them, and I was going to move out eventually."

Aria is an orphan herself, so she grew in a community that shares her background since she is the eldest. She has always stayed to help take care of the young rejecting potential parents to stay in the orphanage until she can be independent enough to leave.

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you guys. We'll survive. No matter what I have to do." Ace said with conviction in his voice.

"No! I'll do my part too! Don't look down on me or the others Ace! I know we may have to take lives. That's what you're referring to right?! We'll dirty our hands together. Just so we can go home!" Aria replied in a powerful tone.

Hearing her voice it gave Ace a faint smile. Aria's determination evoked something inside Ace, motivating him to do more for his class.

"My bad."

"Sheesh, you're more negative than I am," Aria said.

"Haha, I guess I have been. Somehow your presence reminds me of her. The way I feel less empty around you. Though you two are completely different."

Ace placed his hands in his chest but held a sad expression recalling more of his memories.

"Huh...? What do you mean? Are you referring to...?" Her face went red but at the same time wondered what Ace meant.

"Ah, someone I used to know." Ace answered in a dejected tone.

"Huh...? Ace...?" She became confused but eventually she became focused on the person Ace referred to.

"Save it for another time I need rest."

"Oh, okay. Do you need me to call you for dinner?"

"You don't have to, I'll probably sleep through it. If something major happens Alan will bang my door anyway." Ace waved his hands back and forth gesturing a no in his reply. "Good night."

Ace headed to his room. With Aria busy trying to figure out the person Ace referred to. Aria had completely focused her thoughts uncovering who this person might be rather than worrying about the people in the orphanage.

While in his room, Ace held a picture with the unknown girl with a dejected expression, but after recalling his thoughts and memories of the same girl. He felt hope and let out his thoughts.

'If you're still alive... I'll do my best to find you.'